Jerry Funderburgh, President

I was born and raised in Southern California , and received my bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and an MBA from Santa Clara University . I lived in the San Jose area for 35 years, working as a high tech executive in Silicon Valley . 

To enjoy the small town lifestyle, my wife and I retired and moved to Ione in 2005. We both see the Preston Castle as the preeminent landmark in Amador county and want to do what we can to help preserve, restore, and rehabilitate it into a functional and useful facility.

Jerry serves on the Marketing, Finance, Site Development, and By-laws Committees.

Karl Knobelauch, Vice President

I spent my grade school years in Omaha, Nebraska where I was born.  My family moved to the suburbs of San Francisco when I was entering junior high school.  While attending Sacramento State College I met my wife Patty, who is a fifth generation member of an Ione farming family.  We married after college and lived in Novato, California.  We moved to the family farm outside of Ione in 1981.  In 2006 I retired after a thirty-seven year career in local law enforcement.

During the last thirty years of living in Ione the Preston Castle has been the iconic symbol of Ione’s history.  I see the Preston Castle from the back of my house and every time I drive into Ione.  After I retired I decided that I wanted to give some of my time to preserving the Preston Castle, so that future generations will be able to see the place where California started to bring a better future for youthful offenders. 

Karl serves on the Site Development, Bylaws, and Kitchen Committees.

Kim Kozlowski, Treasurer

I was born in Castro Valley, California, and grew up in Hayward, Dublin, and Livermore.  My educational career started with an AA degree in Accounting and Business Management from Heald College. After working many years in the accounting department of a local hospital in Hayward, I migrated to Washington state, where I continued my education while working for the State of Washington at Clark College, a junior college in Vancouver. There I worked directly with the college’s controller in the accounting department. A few years later, California called this girl home, and I settled in the Sacramento area, where I completed my BA in Accounting and Business Management.

I worked as the controller for numerous business entities for many years, when an extreme life change event occurred, and my husband and I moved to Amador County to be closer to my Mom. My parents had migrated to Ione many years before and had become passionate about Preston Castle . Having spent so much time at “Castle” functions over the years, their passion soon became mine, and it has been with great honor to be a part of the Preston Castle Foundation’s effort to restore this incredible building, whose history gives me chills. It was a dream of my Dad’s to see it put back to a useful purpose, and it’s my dream to do what I can to aide in making that happen. The Castle can be seen from my parents’ front lawn. I hope never to lose sight of it!

Kim serves on the Finance Committee.

Jacqueline Martinez - Secretary

I spent all my early years in Ione, graduating from Ione High School before attending U.C. Davis for a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I later received a J.D. degree from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco and have been a member of the California State Bar since 1984.  I served as Director of the U. S. Office of Special Counsel, San Francisco Bay Area Field Office and was an officer in the Federal Executive Board of Bay Area federal executives for many years before retiring in 2006. My husband and I returned to Ione shortly thereafter, and I have enjoyed reconnecting with my hometown and community. 

Being a member of the Preston Castle Foundation brings me close to my past and my present -- my grandfather worked many years at Preston before retiring from there, and many of my memories of growing up in Ione revolve around Preston and the Castle.  Today the Castle is the first view from our home in the morning and the last thing I see at night.  I am on the Board to help ensure that majestic view lasts a lifetime.

Jackie serves on the Marketing, Fundraising, and Landscape Committees.

Marie Nutting

I was born in Livermore , California , but I lived in Ione from the time I was seven years old until I married. My husband worked for the California Department of Forestry and due to transfers we lived in Napa county, Lake county and then 25 years in El Dorado county. After my husband’s retirement and a 36 year absence, we decided to move back home to Ione.

I graduated from Ione High School in 1963. I attended one year of college at Chico State and 20 years after my children were grown I got an AA in business. I ran a small business for eight years until my husband’s retirement.

I grew up on top of Main Street and saw the Castle every day. I have never stopped loving the sight of the Castle and hope never to lose sight of it.

Marie was President for 5 years and serves on the Tours, Visitors Center, and Site Development Committees.

Rod W. Burton, III

I was born in Columbus, OH and raised in Pittsburgh, PA where my family was in the steel business. I received my bachelor’s degree in History from Roanoke College in Virginia and my Juris Doctorate from UOP McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, CA. After practicing law for a large firm in the valley for many years, I opened up a small law firm in Sutter Creek where I live. I also work at a local winery on weekends.

I am in agreement with the rest of board, in my feeling that Preston Castle represents the “preeminent landmark in Amador County” and an important part of the County’s rich history. I am honored to sit on the Board to assist it in any way I can to help preserve and restore this majestic building.

Rod serves on the Grants Committee

Carol Lipchik

I received a BA degree in education/psychology from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. I spent 21 years working at the county of San Diego Assessors Office as a Supervising Real Estate Appraiser of Commercial and Residential properties. I also spent eight years working in San Diego as a Real Estate Broker and Sales Agent, after moving from Erie.

After retiring, I came to Ione in September of 2007.  I am delighted to have found an active community of enthusiastic people.  Preston Castle attracted my attention immediately, and it's history and architecture are well worth preserving.  I hope to be a part of this endeavor until its completion.

Carol serves on the Site Development and Site Rental Committees.

Allan Trimble

Allan serves on the Grants and By-laws Committees.

Named Donna Wooley at birth in 1934, I was raised in the Bay Area. I graduated from Hayward High School and continued my education at San Jose State, where I earned my Early Childhood Education Degree. After teaching preschool for several years, I co-founded and directed a co-operative preschool of 70 students per year. My career spanned 25-plus years working alongside parents and students. Nearly 40 years later, my co-director still successfully operates this cooperative preschool.

I married Bob Ogelvie in 1951. Our retirement brought us to beautiful Ione in Amador county. We soon discovered Preston Castle. My husband, Bob, developed a passion for restoring this magnificent historical building. He worked tirelessly for approximately ten years toward that goal. During that time he held the position of treasurer for the Preston Castle Foundation. Bob's enthusiasm and passion was contagious, and I developed a deep desire to follow his goal-setting path to completion.

I am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors for the Preston Castle Foundation. Taking tiny steps to accomplish the goal of restoration, hopefully God grants me the life years to complete this worthy journey.

Donna serves on the Historical Committee.

Yvonne Funderburgh

I was born and raised in the Bay Area, where I worked as a Medical Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant, and Office Manager. When it was time for my husband and I to retire, we searched all over the Northern California foothills for the perfect spot to live. We found it in Ione and moved here in 2005, and soon became involved in the beautiful and historic Preston Castle.

I have worked hard to build up our tours, and now we include school children, clubs, tour companies, photographers, film companies, and paranormal investigators. Each year we have attracted many more people to see this magnificent structure and grounds. In the not too distant future, I fully expect to see the Preston Castle site become a useful, important destination in the mother lode and reclaim and display it's former grandeur.

Yvonne serves on the Tours, Building, and Landscape Committees.

Richard Forster

I was born in South Laguna, California, but have lived in Amador County since 1975 and am a proud fifth generation Californian. I graduated from Ione High School, and the University of California, Davis, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Managerial Economics.  Besides representing District II on the Amador County Board of Supervisors, I work for the California Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Justice.

I have also served on the Amador Water Agency Board of Directors, the Ione Planning Commission, and the Ione Technical Advisory Committee.  I am past President of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Ione #33, the Amador/El Dorado/Sacramento Cattlemen’s Association, the Amador County Fair Board of Directors, and the Ione Picnic Association.  I currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Ione Business & Community Association and the Sutter Amador Hospital Foundation Board, and am a member of the Ione Rotary.  I am also a former Chairman of the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC), an organization representing the interests of 31 rural counties. 

My wife and I are strong supporters of the efforts to preserve and rehabilitate the magnificent Preston Castle.

Richard serves on the Donations Committee.

Jennifer Cabrales